Keratosis skin problem: overview of the different types

The skin condition keratosis is an overgrowth of keratin on the skin. Keratin is a tough, fibrous insoluble protein that is the main structural component of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin), nails, and hair. When the keratin component of the skin grows faster than it should, a keratosis develops. There are several different forms of this skin problem.

Keratosis pilaris is perhaps the best known. Many people refer to this type of keratoses as chicken skin or chicken rash or goosebumps. The reason for this is that the skin that is affected by pilaris has the appearance of chicken skin or goosebumps. The bumps are small, flesh-colored or white, and many of them are usually present at once. In some people, the small bumps may be red and swollen. The bumps are often described as acne-like or sandpaper-like in texture. They are painless and usually do not itch.

Seborrheic keratosis is a skin growth that is often mistaken for skin warts. However, this type of keratosis is not a wart because it does not contain the virus that causes the wart. The growth is benign and will not progress to skin cancer. It is not contagious and the cause is mostly unknown. A hereditary and sun exposure link is suspected, although these growths can also appear on areas of skin not exposed to the sun.

actinic keratosis it is sometimes called solar keratosis, sun spots, actinic keratosis, or AK. It is a growth that appears on the surface or slightly below the surface of the skin. The growth or horn may be crusty or scaly and is usually rough in texture and may be flat. The color of the growth can vary and can be the individual’s skin tone or red, tan, or pink in light or dark shades.

senile keratoses Symptoms are characterized by papules or small flat bumps that are slightly raised from the surface of the skin. These papules have sharp outlines and are usually gray or gray-black in color, but have also been described as red or pink. The growths are often called senile warts because they can be soft and look similar to a wart or mole. Affected skin may be dry with localized peeling of the skin. The growths are not painful.

actinic cheilitis it is related to actinic keratosis, but the lips are the affected target area. Symptoms include lips that are always dry or chapped and chapped frequently. The lips are also very wrinkled and there are painless lesions, sores or ulcers on the lips. Although red patches may be present, affected lips are often pale pink with whitish plaques present. Lip swelling is also common.

follicular keratosis it can be referred to by many other names. Some examples are keratosis follicularis, Darier’s disease, Darier’s disease, or Darier’s disease, to name a few. This type of keratosis originates in the hair follicle of the skin. It commonly affects the hands, face (ears, sides of the nose, forehead), scalp, neck, chest, back, thighs, groin, and abdomen. It is hereditary and this genetic disorder is considered rare.